Detective Grimoire

About

Detective Grimoire is a single player arcade action adventure game with mystery and comedy themes. It was developed by SFBGames and was released on August 18, 2014. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

Detective Grimoire is a puzzle-based detective game with a fully voiced and animated cast. Players explore beautiful digitally painted environments, interview suspects, and solve puzzles to uncover the secret of a murder at a mythical creature tourist attraction. Indie Statik praises it for its focus on enjoyable gameplay and superior design compared to other crime games.

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Play Modes

Single-Player

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96%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,590 reviews

story546 positive mentions

replayability18 negative mentions

Charming art style and fluid animations that enhance the overall experience.
Engaging story with interesting characters and good voice acting.
Unique deduction mechanics that encourage players to think critically about clues.

Very short gameplay, typically completed in 2-4 hours.
Puzzles are overly simplistic and may not provide a challenge for experienced players.
The mystery can be predictable, making it less satisfying for seasoned detective game fans.

story
1,048 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
45%
3%
The story of "Detective Grimoire" is generally well-received, characterized as a charming and humorous detective narrative that is engaging yet straightforward. While many players appreciate the quirky characters, delightful voice acting, and appealing art style, some find the plot predictable and simplistic, often aimed at a younger audience. Overall, it offers a light-hearted experience with a fun mystery to solve, though it may lack depth and complexity for more seasoned gamers.
- “The plot is well written, comprehensive, and the dialogues are absolutely hilarious sometimes.”
- “What makes this game so enjoyable is the clever and unusual detective mechanics, the well written and interesting story, and it's fully voice acted.”
- “The story, the puzzles, the character design, the visuals etc. it's an unfair comparison though.”
- “If you're expecting this game to feature a complex, unpredictable story with unexpected plot twists and whatnot, this won't be the game for you.”
- “The story isn't really remarkable but I think this game functions more as a proof of concept to SFB's next game, Tangle Tower.”
- “The story ends up being not so surprising at the end (I was looking for a Sherlock Holmes style ending like 'A Study in Scarlet'), thought the 'order of hunting thing' could lead to a hidden relationship between Echo and the victim but... yeah maybe I just did overthink too much.”
graphics
674 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
61%
38%
1%
The graphics of the game are characterized by a unique and charming art style that many players find appealing, often likening it to a colorful, cartoonish aesthetic reminiscent of classic animated shows. While some reviews note a mix of high-resolution and lower-quality graphics, the overall presentation is praised for its fluid animations and engaging character designs. The combination of vibrant visuals, excellent voice acting, and a fitting soundtrack contributes to a delightful gaming experience, despite some critiques regarding simplicity and a lack of depth in the narrative.
- “The art style is beautiful and the voice acting and soundtrack help liven up an already vibrant world.”
- “The graphics in Detective Grimoire are fantastic; the game literally looks and feels like a playable cartoon.”
- “The art style is gorgeous and unique, the environment is beautiful and atmospheric, the characters are super interesting, and the plot is engaging the entire way through.”
- “I don't get at all how there are companies that put ultra-compressed static graphics in commercial games.”
- “However even if we judge Detective Grimoire as a hog it still does not measure up to the current standard of games being published by Artifex Mundi -- the story is simple and cartoonish, the puzzles are absurdly easy, the sound design is lacking, and the artwork is crude and unappealing (at least to my eye).”
- “Forgettable story, childish art style, simplistic 'puzzles' that 5 year olds can solve and pretty short (about 3h).”
gameplay
470 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
62%
3%
The gameplay of "Detective Grimoire" is characterized by its unique mechanics, such as piecing together clues and logical statements, which provide an engaging detective experience reminiscent of classic point-and-click adventures. While the puzzles are generally simple and the overall gameplay can feel somewhat linear and dated, the charming art style, memorable characters, and well-executed voice acting contribute to an enjoyable, albeit short, gaming experience. Players appreciate the innovative elements, though some feel that the game could benefit from deeper complexity and more challenging gameplay.
- “What makes this game so enjoyable is the clever and unusual detective mechanics, the well written and interesting story, and it's fully voice acted.”
- “The gameplay offers a series of interfaces where you'll need to collect clues, solve minigames and interrogate witnesses.”
- “The gameplay is alike--explore a map, discover clues, interrogate suspects, solve puzzles, and use all your accumulated information to connect the dots of a mystery.”
- “It's a mix of cluttered interactions and overly simplistic gameplay.”
- “It's a missed opportunity to be a pleasant adventure game, marred by gimmicks and overly simplified gameplay.”
- “However, the gameplay and how the detective work is handled just fell flat.”
music
458 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
69%
30%
1%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its quality and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, with many reviewers describing it as beautiful, whimsical, and fitting for the game's themes. The soundtrack is noted for being memorable and immersive, often compared to cinematic scores, and is complemented by excellent voice acting that brings the quirky characters to life. Overall, the combination of engaging music, charming visuals, and strong voice performances contributes significantly to the game's appeal.
- “I loved the soundtrack; it flowed very well with the storyline, creating this spooky and eerie environment.”
- “The music is absolutely beautiful, the art style is very clear (which is useful in a game about finding hidden objects) and the puzzles themselves were immersive in the sense that you had to listen carefully and really get into the story to understand how all the pieces fit together and complete the challenges.”
- “The soundtrack is a phenomenon.”
- “I was initially going to pass on this game because of the gloomy theme and goofy graphics, which I thought clashed with the celticesque music.”
- “Simplistic vector art with an equally simplistic soundtrack, but it's hoisted up by the intricate details that go into the mechanics of the game itself.”
- “The music is whimsical and only slightly verging on irritating, but if you don't like it, there is a sound menu.”
humor
322 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely praised for its clever writing, engaging voice acting, and quirky character interactions, often eliciting genuine laughter from players. Many reviews highlight the light-hearted, witty dialogue and amusing scenarios that enhance the overall experience, making it a charming and enjoyable detective adventure. While some found the humor to be subtle or not consistently laugh-out-loud funny, the general consensus is that it adds significant charm and appeal to the game.
- “The plot is well written, comprehensive, and the dialogues are absolutely hilarious sometimes.”
- “The humor is on point, with puns that make me facepalm and chuckle at the same time.”
- “The voice acting, humor, and sheer amount of discoverable objects make this a very enjoyable experience.”
atmosphere
100 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
37%
3%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its enchanting and immersive qualities, enhanced by a captivating soundtrack, unique art style, and engaging voice acting. Reviewers highlight the blend of whimsical and eerie elements that create a mysterious ambiance, making it a delightful experience despite its simplicity in gameplay. Overall, the game's atmosphere is described as charming, visually stunning, and perfectly suited to its narrative, drawing players back for repeated enjoyment.
- “The atmosphere and the art style are gorgeous.”
- “With a mysterious atmosphere, unique characters, vivid visuals, well-written dialogues, and fantastic music, it manages to offer an entertaining experience.”
- “The atmosphere is magical and fairytale-like; the music is lovely, and the gameplay is simple: ask questions, show evidence, obtain information, and deduce.”
- “Wish that there was a version with a more creepy atmosphere and perhaps more geared towards adults.”
- “This game confuses me because on paper I should dislike the game because it is incredibly easy and ultimately requires no real problem solving... yet I actually like the game because of its atmosphere, voice acting, and world building as well as the characters that inhabit it.”
- “It's simple enough that younger sleuths won't become frustrated, but older gamers are not bored stiff thanks to the atmosphere.”
character development
66 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
40%
5%
Character development in the game is highlighted by its charming and distinct character designs, which are often described as cartoonish yet effective in conveying personality. The voice acting is consistently praised for its quality, enhancing the overall experience and making interactions engaging. While some players noted a shift from more realistic designs to a stylized approach, the combination of strong writing, animation, and character aesthetics contributes to a vibrant and immersive narrative.
- “The character design is amazing and the writing is a lot of fun.”
- “Just like the sequel, this game is filled with charming character design, great writing, and a fun mystery.”
- “Character development was very well done and the storyline was awesome!”
- “Extremely short (2-3 hours to finish) and with pretty much 0 replayability if you collect all the clues on the first playthrough, even so it's also extremely charming, the character designs and animations truly give life to this little game, the voice acting is also really good, and I really like its sound design.”
- “I had my hesitations with the new look at first (particularly the direction away from the more realistic character designs toward the more cartoony stylizations and pure white skin tones), but it had a new unity to the design and worked well with the quirky, humorous tone.”
replayability
44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
9%
50%
41%
The game has very low to no replayability, typical for detective titles, as players already know the story and puzzles after the first playthrough. While it offers a charming experience and can be revisited for its quirky elements, the short duration of 2-3 hours limits the incentive to replay. Overall, it is best enjoyed as a one-time experience rather than a game to return to.
- “Although the game does not have replayability as you already know the puzzle and story, I still replay in order to manage the wiki and gather all the knowledge I could.”
- “I finished it within 3 hours, but it's fun to revisit every once in a while, although there isn't much replay value.”
- “Extremely short (2-3 hours to finish) and with pretty much 0 replayability if you collect all the clues on the first playthrough. Even so, it's also extremely charming; the character designs and animations truly give life to this little game, the voice acting is also really good, and I really like its sound design.”
- “The cons: there's very little replay value (as is pretty standard with a whodunit story), and it's a short game (2-3 hours if you're trying to be a completionist about the achievements).”
- “It is a polished and very entertaining experience, but it is also less than 3 hours long with no replayability, so gauge your preferred price tag accordingly.”
grinding
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while some enjoy the engaging puzzles and mini-game elements, many describe the mechanics as tedious and repetitive, particularly when it comes to dialogue choices and exploring bland locations. The necessity to test numerous combinations and navigate through suspect profiles adds to the feeling of monotony, although some appreciate the game's relaxing nature compared to more challenging titles.
- “The games can feel tedious, boring, and repetitive.”
- “No real puzzles, just lots of talking, and grinding through all the combinations of showing items to characters, and then asking each character about everyone else.”
- “It's not a game, it's a visual novel -- and a tedious one at that.”
emotional
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its wholesome and charming experience, making players feel like real detectives while providing a light-hearted narrative. However, attempts at emotional depth, particularly involving a little girl, are seen as poorly executed and cheesy, detracting from the overall impact. Despite some shortcomings in emotional engagement, players appreciate the game's polished production and recommend it for those seeking a fun, uncomplicated experience.
- “I absolutely loved this game; it made me feel like a real detective.”
- “This game is an incredibly charming visual novel that mixes mystery and murder with wholesome visuals and makes it work.”
- “Still, I give it a heartfelt recommendation if you need a little dose of a crime-solving fix.”
stability
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
80%
Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while some players experienced minor glitches and issues with control compatibility, others found it largely solid and enjoyable, particularly on the Steam Deck. The simplicity of the game seems to contribute to fewer bugs, making it accessible for a wide range of ages. However, the lack of proper controller support has led to some frustration with controls.
- “Its simplicity means no glitches, and it's good for a wide range of ages. I'm 27, and I played it with my 8-year-old nephew, and neither of us lost interest until the end.”
- “I played on Steam Deck despite the lack of compatibility rating: it was a little buggy and there were a few small moments it seemed like the game was thrown off by the 16:10 ratio, but all in all a solid way to play.”
- “Also, the controls are very buggy and seem as if they were designed for a controller even though this game has no support.”
- “I think I only ran into a couple of small glitches in the game.”
optimization
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
30%
30%
The game generally runs smoothly with enjoyable character animations, despite some repetition. While the soundtrack is well-received, the voice acting quality varies, with most performances being adequate. Minor performance issues exist but do not significantly detract from the overall experience.
- “Along with the cartoony aesthetic, the game runs smoothly and the character animations are fun to watch, though they tend to repeat themselves.”
- “There are a few minor performance issues, but nothing that would ruin your experience.”
- “The soundtrack is good, but the voice acting is a mixed bag in terms of both production and performance.”
- “Most of the performances are... fine?”

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3h Median play time

4h Average play time

2h Main story

3h Completionist

3-5h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 46 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Detective Grimoire is a arcade action adventure game with mystery and comedy themes.

Detective Grimoire is available on PC, Mac OS, Phone, iPad and others.

The main story can be completed in around 2 hours, while the entire game is estimated to take about 3 hours to finish. On average players spend around 4 hours playing Detective Grimoire.

Detective Grimoire was released on August 18, 2014.

Detective Grimoire was developed by SFBGames.

Detective Grimoire has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its replayability.

Detective Grimoire is a single player game.

Similar games include Tangle Tower, Duck Detective: The Secret Salami, Duck Detective: The Ghost of Glamping, Broken Age, Jenny LeClue: Detectivu and others.

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